Cutting and bunching device



W. H. SIKMA. CUTTINIG AND BUNCHING DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 26, 1921.

Patented June 21, 1921.

WILLIAM H. SIKMA, 0F OAKGLEN, ILLINOIS.

CUTTING AND BUNCHING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J n 21 1921 Application filed February 26, 1921. Serial No. 447,962. r

Y '0 aZZ ii .0m it may concern l e it known that I, WILLIAM H. SIKMA, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Uakglen, in the county of Cook and State oi Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cutting and Bunching Devices, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to devices for cutting and bunching stalked vegetables, such as asparagus, onions, carrots and the like, preparatory to putting same upon the market.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a device which will enable a single operator to efficiently cut to size and bunch a great quantity of such vegetables in the shortest possible time.

Other objects and advantages will appear to those skilled in this art as the description proceeds and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

My invention consists in a table-like structure supported upon legs in'such a manner that the table top slopes downwardly and backwardly toward the rear left corner thereof. A cradle is supplied at the left edge of the table substantially equalling the desired size eta bunch of stalks. Means are provided to regulate the length of said bunches which are severed by means of a kniic actuated by the operators foot. Additional means are provided to retain the cut bunch in shape while tying with tape or the like.

in the d *awings, which are illustrative only of a preferred form of device:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device.

- 2 is an-end view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view showing the cutter and associated mechanism.

.l :i'erring new more particularly to the drawings in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views. the invention consists of a table top shown at l, suitably supported upon'legs 2 in such a manner that the part 1 slopes backwardly and downwardly toward the rear left corner for a purposernore fully hereinafter described.

Brace rods 3 are utilized to stabilize legs 2 at the bottom and members l not only tie the front and rear legs together but aid in supporting the top 1. These members extend rearwardly a considerable distance in order that the crates brought from the field may be rested thereon within easy reach oi? the operator.

Tabletop 1 is provided with a side wall 5 and rear wall 6, said rear wall extending beyond the left edge of top 1 as shown at 6 The part 1 and rear wall 6 are preterably covered with sheet metal 7 or the like, which facilitates cleaning and makes the device more durable.

At the leftedge of top 1 a rack or cradle is provided which consists preterablv of two substantially lishaped metal straps 8 secured between the top 01 the table and the metal covering 7. The "Li-shaped portions are of a size to contain the number of stalks required to make up a bunch desired for any particular market. The metallic covering 7 upon rear wall 6 extends beyond and below the left edge of top 1 to a point slightly beyond and below the straps 8. The overhanging part of this covering is secured to the rear wall in a loose manner as by bolts 9 which allow a front and back movement of the covering to take place. Wedges hi or the like of various thicknesses are adapted to be inserted between covering 7 and rear wall. 6 at the overhang of the covering which will determine into what lengths the stalks held in members 8 will be cut. By removing or adding wedges the length of the stalks may obviously be varied as desired.

A trough-like structure secured under th; left edge of too 1 and cradle 8 is composed of bottom ll, rear wall 12 and front wall 1?). A. knife i l mounted upon a. carri r i5 is adapted to travel close to the front edge of the ztrontstrap 8, and is inclined to the plane of the table top \VlllCll gives a sweep ing action when the knife is actuated to cut the stalks. The blade 1% is preferably secured to the carrier by means of bolts 16 which permit of easy removal when it is desired to sharpen the knit'eor replace the same.

Carrier-l5 is journaled in the bottom ll of the trough and also in a step extension 17 attached to one of the front legs 2. A pedal. 18 is hinged as at 19 to the rear cross bracc 3. Any suitable flexible connection 20 may be made between the pedal and the carrier 15. A coil spring 21 encircles carrier 15, bearing downwardly upon step 17, its up .ward spring being limited by a stop 22 upon the carrier 15 of vegetables being A. guard or sheath'23 is provided for the knife which is shown as being mounted upon a rear extension 2 1 of the front wall 13 of the trough member.

A cylindrical member 25 is mounted per pendicular to portion 6 and is provided with a longitudinal groove 26 on its upper surface. The diameter ofthis member is slightly larger than the desired diameter of a bunch of stalks. A. plurality of rubber bands or the like are shown at 27 encircimg member for a purpose more fully hereinafter described.

The operation of the device is as follows:

A crate of asparagus, onions, carrots or the like, is brought from the field having the tips or heads as the case may be arranged in one direction. This crate is deposited upon the extensions of the top braces 4:. The operator standing in front of the table places a quantity of the vegetables upon the top 1 making sure the heads or tips are substantially touching rear wall 6. The backward inclination facilitates keeping the stalks even on one side. A number of stalks are now swept into cradle 8 aided by the sloping table top. The operator grasps the bunch in the cradle in his left hand, presses downwardly on pedal 18 which I cuts the bunch into the required length, wedges 10 having been properly ad usted PTG'v'lGUSlIY,

The spring 21 insures the return of the knife blade to its sheath and the waste material falls onto the bottom 11 of the trough and into a suitable receptacle. The bunchstill grasped by the operator is removed from the cradle and inserted partially nto member 25 and a rubber band snapped upon the bunch with the right hand. The bunch is then inserted farther into member 25 and another band appliec. The groove 26 facilitates removal of the bands by inserting the nail between the band and member 25. The bunch is now secured together and may be further tied with tape or the like if desired, the bands serving to hold the bunch scuirely while the tape is applied.

It will be readily apparent that this device simplifies the cutting and launching of stalk vegetables to a considerable degree as asingle operator read1ly' compete with several working in the old way.

It will be seen that this dovicemay be used efficiently with any articles of a stalk or rod nature which are to be out into proper lengths and bunched, and therefore, I do not wish to be limited to a device for cutting and bunching vegetables.

Obviously various modifications mayoccur to those skilled in this art without debeneath said cradle, said parting from the spirit of my invention, but what I claim is:

1. The device of the character described comprisinga table supported upon legs, profor, and means for adjusting the proximity of said covering to the knife blade.

l. The device of claim 1, said tablebeing provided with a rear wall, a covering therefor, means for adjusting the proximity of said covering fromthe knife blade including a wedge inserted between said covering and said rear wall.

5. The device of claim 1, said table being provided with a rear wall, a covering therefor and means to space said covering from said rear wall.

6. The device of claim 1, said table being provided with a rear wall, and a covering therefor, said covering extending beyond and below said table.

7. The device of claim 1, said table being v a carrier for Said knife, said carrier including a U-shaped'xnenaber, one leg of which is ion ger than the other' 11. The device of claim 1 said knife being provided with a carrier, a trough mounted knife carrier being journaled in s d trough.

The devise of claim '1 provided with a sheath fer said knife, a step extension on a able leg, means to insure the return of the kniie to said sheath, said means engaging said step extension.

13. The device of claim 1, said knife being mounted upon a carrier, means to impart automatic movement to said knife, said means partially encircling said carrier.

In testimony whereof I my signature.

WILLIAM H. SIKMA.

claim 1, said table being 

